Haunted by an Angel

Chapter Six

Seeing as we were on the ground foor, we had to take the elevator up to my Dad's room.  It was just Detective Augustine and I, and with such close proximity, I could smell his cologne.   It was a mix between a deep spice and something that I had never incountered before. Something light, and relaxing.   I must say, it mixed very well.

"I don't know how I'm gonna tell him." I mumble sadly as I try desperately not to stare at him.  Or sniff him for that matter.

"Pardon?"  He seems distracted.

"I don't know how to tell him that Mom's..." I was having trouble finishing the sentence.

"It's never easy news to give.  Maybe just ask him what he remembers of the accident, and go from there."

"Okay, I'll try that.  Thanks."

The elevator dinged, sending a wave of nausea and nerve through me.   I had no idea what to expect when I walked into that room, no idea what kind of shape my father would be in.  I only prayed that I would be able to hold myself together long enough to get the words out.

"Will you come in with me?" I asked Detective Augustine as we neared the door.  "I just need a little backbone to help me get through this."  I'm not sure if I was just in need of a companion for the next few minutes, or if I just wanted Augustine to stay.  Whatever it may be, I just knew I couldn't do it alone.

"Sure. Like we told you before, you're kinda stuck with at least one of us for a while."

I made a mental note to question him later about that.

"Okay.  Thanks, I guess."

Taking a shaky breath, I turn and try to open the door.  It doesn't move. 

"It's locked." I say in disbelief.

"Here,"  he stepped over to my left side and swipped a keycard through the black box beneath the door handle.  "the nurse gave me this on the way to the elevator. Only the head nurse and I have one of these."

"Why so much security?"  This wasn't making any sense to me. It wasn't like anyone in my family was even slightly important to the government, or anyone really, so what gives?  Maybe my Dad had crashed into someone really important and they were afraid off an attempted assassination... Don't judge, my mind makes up stupid scenarios all the time.  This just so happens to be one of those times.

I took another shaky breath, trying the handle again.  This time the door pushed open effortlessly.  

The room was dark, and smelled of chlorine. I could hear a rhythmic beeping from across the room, that I instantly identified as a heart monitor. As I stepped into the room, I became paranoid. Something was off, and it wasn't just the fact that my Dad was in a hospital bed across from me.

Augustine must have felt it too, as he took a step to stand in front of me. From the corner of the room came a shuffling noise. Turning, I see a shadow, darker than the already pitch black of the room. It seemed to turn to us, sensing our presence.  Goosebumps traveled down my spine, and I couldn't take it anymore.  I ran and flipped on the lights.  Turning back quickly, only to see nothing there.

"That was weird. " I mumble.

"You have no idea." 

Now what is that supposed to mean?